Caught [Mass Market Paperback]

Harlan Coben (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 22, 2011

Reporter Wendy Tynes is making a name for herself, bringing down sexual offenders on nationally-televised sting operations. But when social worker Dan Mercer walks into her trap, and is tied to the disappearance of a seventeen-year-old New Jersey girl, the shocking consequences will have Wendy doubting her instincts about the motives of the people around her.

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Editorial Reviews

From Bookmarks Magazine

Along with his Myron Bolitar series, Coben's stand-alone novels have cemented his reputation as a solid writer and a relentless plotter of high-octane entertainment. "I'm pretty sure it all worked out in the end, with no loose ends, but I wouldn't want to take a test," the Washington Post says of the "rococo plot" in Caught. The author's "family" novels address some important social issues and will resonate with anyone who has children, and the Internet angle is timely. With his latest effort--though, admittedly, a generally slower-paced effort with weaker characterization than in other novels--Coben delivers solid entertainment. Again. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"The thrill-a-minute action zooms on sharp, slippery twists and turns in a white-knuckle race from start to finish."
-Nora Roberts

"With Caught, Harlan Coben knocked another one out of the park!"
-New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jackson

"Caught is dark-hearted, quintessential Coben, and his character Wendy Tynes is completely driven to make things right. This novel is psychologically twisted, fascinating, and guaranteed to make you both look over your shoulder and sign up with the good guys."
-New York Times bestselling author Luanne Rice

"Quite simply, Harlan Coben is one of my favorite authors. His books have it all: nail-biting suspense, roller-coaster plots, relevant social issues, and pitch-perfect characters. Most important to me, his stories have a lot of heart. He writes about men-and women-you know, people who could be your neighbors, your friends, your family."
-New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah

"A Tilt-A-Whirl of a story....Buckle up and prepare for whiplash."
-Sandra Brown

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Signet; Reprint edition (March 22, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451232704
• ISBN-13: 978-0451232700
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (374 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #76,536 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Harlan Coben is the bestselling author of sixteen previous novels, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers "Long Lost" and "Hold Tight." Winner of the Edgar Award, the Shamus Award, and the Anthony Award, Coben lives in New Jersey with his family.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#51 Overall (See top 100 authors)

#11 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Thrillers

#11 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers

#13 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers

#14 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

#24 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery

#11 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Thrillers

#11 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers

#13 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers

#14 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

#24 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

349 of 380 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR March 23, 2010

By Lori Caswell TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

WOW!! What A Story!!

I don't want to tell you too much because I don't want to spoil any of the suspense the builds throughout this book but here are the basics:

This is the story of high school senior, Haley McWaid, the pride of her family, good grades, never gets in trouble, a little obsessive compulsive who doesn't come home one night and goes missing.

It is also the story of Dan Mercer, a social worker, who works with troubled teens, who may be a sexual predator, as he is "CAUGHT" by a television show, hosted by Wendy Tynes who is on a mission to expose internet predators. It also delves into the lives of Dan's old college roommates and how they may have complicated Dan's life. The whole thing leaves Wendy worrying about who she can trust.

This story takes more twists and turns than an old country road and you better be belted in. It is a story filled with tension, stress, pressure, that challenges the reader. It is a thrilling, gripping, spine tingling novel that deals with things that could only be seen on television setting up shop in this community.

Harlan Coben takes all these plots and ties them together in what I believe will be the best book I read this year.
You will be "CAUGHT" from the first page and you will not be RELEASED even after the last word.
This is definitely not a book to me missed.

[...]

93 of 103 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the Coben we know and love! March 24, 2010

By JSim

Format:Hardcover

Coben has never written a truly disappointing novel, but his last few efforts--beginning with "The Woods"--veered away from the twist-a-minute storytelling that made his earlier novels so compelling. The twists and accelerated pacing were still there, but to a noticeably smaller degree, and long-time readers couldn't help but feel that they had been treated to two seperate Cobens: Pre-"The Woods" Coben and Post-"The Woods" Coben.

"Caught" is a definitely a return to form for this astonishing thriller writer. The twists are back, the characterizations are as well-drawn as in previous works, and Coben's trademark suburbanite slice-of-life ruminations are as poignant and spot-on as ever.

More please.

68 of 76 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointment April 28, 2010

By Versel Rush

Format:Hardcover

I love Coben. He is one of my favorite writers. That's why it is so hard to dislike any of his books. But, unfortunately, try as I might, I simply can not like "Caught" or recommend it to anyone, including Coben fans.

The plot is one of those "ripped from the headlines" type. TV news show sets up pedophile for on camera arrest after doing the online meet thing. Really good premise and, initially, it takes some very interesting twists. It is the twists that does this book in. There is only so much "but wait, there's something else" that I can take even in mysteries/thrillers. And this book goes way past that limit. By the time you get to the end (and, frankly, I had to force myself to finish--something I would never have believed of a Harlan Coben book), the plot is so convoluted that it is hard to keep the players straight and then, finally, you just don't care.

In Coben's defense, he does a great job of making Wendy (the reporter and star of this book) a real person and, as I am a huge Myron Bolitar series fan, it was great to see Win worked into the plot as a minor character.

But, in the end, all the great characterizations does not save an overworked plot that wears thin long before the pages end.

I'm sorry to say this but skip "Caught" and catch one of Coben's older books for a good read.